Miami dolphins

Updated July 1, 2025

Team Overview

Miami’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster, finishing 8-9 amid injuries to Tua Tagovailoa (hip, concussions) and a porous offensive line. Despite flashes of brilliance—Tyreek Hill’s 1,799 receiving yards and a historic 70-point game in 2023—the Dolphins missed the playoffs and parted ways with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. For 2025, head coach Mike McDaniel leans on a revitalized roster, with a beefed-up defensive line and a versatile draft class. The trade of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for Minkah Fitzpatrick and the acquisition of tight end Darren Waller add intrigue to Miami’s outlook. If Tua stays healthy and the offensive line holds, Miami could push for 10+ wins, but their survivor pool value hinges on exploiting soft spots in the schedule.

Miami Dolphins 2025 NFL Survivor Pool Preseason Analysis

The Miami Dolphins enter 2025 with a chip on their shoulder, looking to shake off a disappointing 2024 season and reclaim their spot as AFC East contenders. With a high-octane offense led by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, paired with a revamped defense under new coordinator Anthony Weaver, the Dolphins have the tools to be a survivor pool darling—if they can stay healthy and navigate a tricky schedule. The blockbuster trade sending Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith to Pittsburgh for Minkah Fitzpatrick reshapes the secondary, while the addition of Darren Waller bolsters the tight end room. This analysis dives into their roster, metrics, and 2025 schedule to pinpoint the best weeks to ride with Miami and the landmines to avoid in your survivor pool.

Team Roster Review

Offense

• Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa (3,966 yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs in 2024, 11 starts), Skylar Thompson, Quinn Ewers (7th-round rookie). Tua’s quick-release and accuracy are elite, but his health remains a glaring concern. Ewers is a developmental stash.
• Running Backs: Raheem Mostert (814 yards, 8 TDs in 2024), De’Von Achane (997 yards, 10 TDs), Ollie Gordon II (6th-round rookie), Jeff Wilson Jr. Achane’s explosive speed and Mostert’s veteran savvy make this a dynamic duo, though both are injury-prone.
• Wide Receivers: Tyreek Hill (1,799 yards, 13 TDs), Jaylen Waddle (1,014 yards, 5 TDs), Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft. Hill and Waddle form one of the NFL’s best tandems, stretching defenses thin. Depth is a concern if injuries hit.
• Tight Ends: Darren Waller (acquired via trade, 32 years old, 2020: 1,145 yards with Raiders), Julian Hill, Pharaoh Brown. Waller’s addition brings a potential receiving threat, though his year-long hiatus and age temper expectations. Hill and Brown combined for 165 yards in 2024, offering minimal production.
• Offensive Line: LT Austin Jackson, LG Isaiah Wynn, C Aaron Brewer, RG Liam Eichenberg, RT Patrick Paul, Jonah Savaiinaea (2nd-round rookie). The line struggled in 2024 (28th in pass-blocking win rate), and Terron Armstead’s retirement hurts. Savaiinaea’s versatility is a bright spot, but this unit needs to gel.

Defense

• Defensive Line: Edge: Bradley Chubb (7.5 sacks in 2024), Jaelan Phillips (6.0 sacks), Chop Robinson. Interior: Kenneth Grant (1st-round rookie), Jordan Phillips (5th-round rookie), Zeke Biggers (7th-round rookie), Zach Sieler. The Dolphins doubled down on the trenches, with Grant’s 330-pound frame anchoring the run defense. Chubb and Phillips need to stay healthy to boost the pass rush.
• Linebackers: David Long Jr., Jordyn Brooks, Willie Gay (free agent signing), Anthony Walker Jr. Brooks’ sideline-to-sideline range and Gay’s playmaking add depth, but this group lacks an elite star.
• Secondary: CB Kendall Sheffield, Jason Marshall Jr. (5th-round rookie), Kader Kohou; S Minkah Fitzpatrick (Pro Bowl 2024, acquired via trade), Ashtyn Davis (free agent), Ifeatu Melifonwu (free agent), Dante Trader Jr. (5th-round rookie). The trade of Jalen Ramsey for Fitzpatrick reshapes the secondary, with Fitzpatrick’s elite ball-hawking (80% deep safety in 2024) replacing Jevon Holland’s production. The cornerback group, led by Sheffield and rookie Marshall, is unproven and a potential liability.
• Special Teams: K Jason Sanders (89% FG in 2024), P Jake Bailey, LS Blake Ferguson. Sanders is reliable, and Bailey’s punting is above average. Return game (Berrios, Achane) is dangerous.
  

2025 Draft Class

• Round 1, Pick 13: DT Kenneth Grant (Michigan) – 3.5 sacks in 2024, 330-pound run-stuffer. Immediate starter.
• Round 2, Pick 37: OG Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona) – Versatile lineman, projects as starting left guard.
• Round 5, Pick 143: DT Jordan Phillips (LSU) – Developmental tackle, strong against the run.
• Round 5, Pick 150: CB Jason Marshall Jr. (Florida) – Local product, adds depth to a thin CB room.
• Round 5, Pick 155: S Dante Trader Jr. (Maryland) – Instinctive safety, special teams upside.
• Round 6, Pick 179: RB Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) – Big 12 star, complements Achane’s speed.
• Round 7, Pick 231: QB Quinn Ewers (Texas) – High-upside project, potential Tua backup.
• Round 7, Pick 253: DT Zeke Biggers (Georgia) – 6’6”, 320-pound space-eater, blocked 4 kicks in college.

Team Offense and Defense Metrics (2024 Season)

Offense

• Points Scored: 24.6 PPG (13th in NFL)
• Total Yards: 366.4 YPG (8th)
• Passing Yards: 248.2 YPG (6th)
• Rushing Yards: 118.2 YPG (15th)
• Turnovers: 23 (21st)
• Key Note: Miami’s offense thrived when Tua played (27.1 PPG in his starts) but cratered with backups (18.4 PPG).

Defense

• Points Allowed: 23.8 PPG (20th)
• Total Yards Allowed: 340.1 YPG (18th)
• Passing Yards Allowed: 221.6 YPG (16th)
• Rushing Yards Allowed: 118.5 YPG (19th)
• Takeaways: 25 (10th)
• Key Note: The defense struggled against winning teams (28.3 PPG allowed vs. teams above .500).

2025 Outlook

The offense should remain top-10 if Tua avoids the injury bug, with Hill and Waddle exploiting soft secondaries and Waller potentially adding a red-zone dimension. The offensive line’s growth is critical to sustaining drives. Defensively, Fitzpatrick’s addition elevates the back end, but the loss of Ramsey leaves the cornerback group vulnerable. The influx of young talent (Grant, Phillips, Biggers) boosts run-stopping, but the secondary needs Sheffield or Marshall to step up. Expect 8–10 wins, with survivor pool value in home games against weaker foes.

2025 Schedule Breakdown

The Dolphins’ 2025 schedule offers a mix of winnable games and brutal stretches, making strategic timing critical for survivor pool picks. The early slate is manageable, with home games against the Colts and Cardinals offering potential anchor spots. However, a midseason gauntlet featuring road trips to Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Buffalo could derail even the most optimistic pool players. Late-season divisional matchups against the Jets and Patriots are trap games, especially on the road.

• Easiest Stretch: Weeks 1–4, with three home games (Colts, Cardinals, Titans) and a winnable road trip to Cleveland. This front-loaded schedule gives Miami a chance to build momentum.
• Hardest Stretch: Weeks 7–10, facing the Eagles, Chiefs, Bills, and Rams in a brutal four-game span, three on the road. Survivor pool players should steer clear here.

Historical Performance

In survivor pools, the Dolphins have been a mixed bag. In 2023, their 11-6 record made them a popular early pick, but they burned players in a Week 4 loss to Buffalo and a wild-card exit. In 2024, an 8-9 campaign and Tua’s injuries made them a risky choice, with only home games against Denver and the Jets being reliable. Their tendency to drop winnable games against divisional foes (1-5 in AFC East in 2024) makes them a boom-or-bust survivor option.

Best Survivor Picks

• Week 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals (Home, 1:00 PM ET, FOX, 70% Win Probability)
  The Cardinals are a middling team with defensive holes, and Miami’s speed-based offense thrives at home. Coming off a likely Week 1 win, the Dolphins should be firing on all cylinders. This is a prime early-season pick before the schedule toughens.
• Week 4 vs. Tennessee Titans (Home, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN, 68% Win Probability)
  The Titans’ offense remains a work in progress, and their road struggles make this Monday night matchup a safe bet. Miami’s defense, bolstered by Fitzpatrick and draft picks, should feast on Tennessee’s inconsistent line.
• Week 12 vs. New York Jets (Home, 8:20 PM ET, NBC, 60% Win Probability)
  Assuming Aaron Rodgers is still hobbling or benched, the Jets’ offense is no match for Miami’s home-field advantage and Fitzpatrick’s familiarity with his former team. This late-season divisional game is a sneaky-good pick if you’ve saved the Dolphins.

Weeks to Avoid

• Week 8 at Kansas City Chiefs (Away, 8:20 PM ET, NBC, 35% Win Probability)
  Arrowhead in primetime is a nightmare for any team. The Chiefs’ high-powered offense, potentially with Ramsey in a hybrid role, and raucous crowd make this a death trap for survivor pool players.
• Week 9 at Buffalo Bills (Away, 1:00 PM ET, CBS, 40% Win Probability)
  Divisional road games are always dicey, and Buffalo’s cold weather and rabid fans tilt this heavily against Miami. Avoid at all costs.
• Week 17 at New England Patriots (Away, 8:15 PM ET, ESPN, 50% Win Probability)
  Late-season Foxborough trips are notorious for upsets. The Patriots’ gritty defense and Miami’s potential fatigue make this a risky pick.

Additional Survivor Pool Considerations

• Tua’s Health: If Tagovailoa misses time, Miami’s offense drops from top-10 to bottom-10. Monitor injury reports closely before locking in picks.
• Home-Field Advantage: Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium is a fortress in September and October, with heat and humidity wearing down opponents. Prioritize home games early.
• Divisional Traps: The Dolphins struggle in AFC East road games (2-10 since 2022). Avoid Patriots and Bills away matchups.
• Bye Week Timing: The Week 6 bye is early, meaning Miami could be fresh for Weeks 7–10 but fatigued late. Plan accordingly.
• Fitzpatrick’s Impact: Fitzpatrick’s familiarity with AFC East foes, especially the Jets, could tilt close games in Miami’s favor, enhancing their value in Week 12.

Final Verdict

The Miami Dolphins are a Streamable survivor pool pick for 2025, offering high-upside weeks against weaker opponents like the Cardinals (Week 2), Titans (Week 4), and Jets (Week 12). Their explosive offense, boosted by Hill, Waddle, and potentially Waller, and home-field edge make them tempting. However, Tua’s injury risk, a shaky offensive line, a vulnerable cornerback group post-Ramsey, and the brutal midseason schedule demand caution. Save them for early home games and pair with safer anchors like Kansas City or Philadelphia for a balanced survivor strategy. Don’t sleep on Miami, but don’t bet the farm either.

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